Worksheet No.

5
 What were you reminded of after reading the concepts in chapter 7 on instructional principles
and the curriculum?
According to (Bent, et al., 1970, as cited by Aquino, 1988:5) Teachers are the most
important part of the learner's educational environment. Without them, the other elements of the
educational environment would be ineffective, for they guide, direct, and stimulate youth in their
goal-seeking. However, without the learners the teaching, learning and educational system will
never exist because the learner is the subject of the schooling process.
Therefore, to make teaching effective and learning productive, the teacher must know the
nature of the learner to be motivated, directed, guided, and evaluated.
 What were your realizations after gaining an understanding on these principles and basic
concepts as important facets of curriculum development?
An effective teacher is one who has honed his skills in the art of teaching. He/she
demonstrates proficiency in the use of language, adopts varied teaching strategies, recognizes
change, applies innovations, revises techniques for optimum results, and allows himself to be
guided by acknowledged principles and theories in education.

More than knowledge and skills, an effective teacher is compassionate and

understanding. He gives allowance for personal limitations. He looks at every learner as a unique
individual with peculiar needs and interests. Above all, an effective teacher is one who allows
himself to grow professionally.

The teacher plays many roles in the classroom and this includes the following: manager,
counselor, motivator, leader, model, parent-surrogate, facilitator, instructor, among others. As
mentioned, the learner is the subject of the schooling process therefore it is important to define
his role in the classroom to ensure the educational growth and development of the learner. He,
therefore, considers the learner's varied interests, intellectual preparedness, emotional stability,
and task readiness along with his levels of aptitude and degree of maturity.

The classroom is a place where formal learning occurs. This could be a standard
classroom with a standard measurement or an outdoor space where both the teacher and the
pupils/students are interacting. The important thing is that it is a place that can offer a wholesome
venue for learning activities which can be realized only in an atmosphere conducive to both
teaching and learning process.

Let us always remember that curriculum is the sum total of all learning content, learning
experiences, and resources that are properly selected, organized, and implemented by the school
in pursuit of its peculiar mandate as a distinct institution of learning and human development.